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Resolutions adopted by the Blinded Veterans Association at the organization's 59th National Convention in Reno, Nevada, August 14, 2004, and the Department of Veterans Affairs' responses thereto.
RESOLUTION 33-04
RESOLVED, that the Blinded Veterans Association, in convention assembled in Reno, Nevada, on this 14th day of August 2004, request and strongly urge that the Director of Blind Rehabilitation Service (BRS) encourage the residential Blind Rehabilitation Center (BRC) Chiefs to comply with the recommended guidelines by providing the clinically indicated computers and peripherals.
RESOLVED, that the Director of BRS be requested and strongly urged to take appropriate actions to bring all BRCs into compliance with the aforementioned guidelines, so that all veterans will be provided standards computers and peripheral across the country.
VA Response: The Department of Veterans Affairs concurs with the Blinded Veterans Association Resolution 33-04. A national contract has been awarded for issuance of computers and software to blinded veterans. This contract goes into effect on July 23, 2005, and will be monitored for compliance by the BRCs.
RESOLUTION 34-04
RESOLVED, that the Blinded Veterans Association, in convention assembled in Reno, Nevada, on this 14th day of August 2004, recommend and strongly urge that Regional Consultants be aligned under the National Director of BRS and that they report directly to the Director.
VA Response: The Department of Veterans Affairs does not concur with the Blinded Veterans Association Resolution 34-04. Blind Rehabilitation Service is currently reviewing the functions and all other aspects of the Consultants' roles. Upon completing the review, the National Program Office will make recommendations to the Veterans Health Administration Management Officials on the Consultants' alignment.
RESOLUTION 35-04
RESOLVED, that the Blinded Veterans Association, in convention assembled in Reno, Nevada, on this 14th day of August 2004, will meet with top management of VA Ophthalmology, Optometry, and BRS to encourage the development of a plan of action to train eye care professionals in blind and low vision.
RESOLVED, that BVA be a full partner and as such be included as a member of a team, planning and enacting such training.
VA Response: The Department of Veterans Affairs concurs with the first paragraph of the Blinded Veterans Association Resolution 35-04 for BVA to meet with the Director of VA Optometry Service, Acting Director of VA Blind Rehabilitation Service, VA Ophthalmology Consultant, and VA Office of Academic Affiliations in order to develop a plan to educate and train the multi-disciplinary low vision and blind rehabilitation providers needed to enable VA to implement the continuum of care for visually impaired veterans.
The Department of Veterans Affairs does not concur with the second paragraph of the resolution because the BVA Executive Director already serves as a member of the Visual Impairment Advisory Board, so it is not necessary for BVA to assume an expanded role.
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